College news
• The following local students recently earned their bachelor degrees from the University of Vermont: Katherine Amidon of Vernon, biochemistry (cum laude); Brenda Atwater of Vernon, early childhood/preschool; Devin Brown of Londonderry, early childhood/special education; Jennifer Carpenter of Vernon, alternate track - VT RN; Ursula Casey of West Dover, biology; Greer Cowan of Putney, community & international development (cum laude); Alexander Doerr of Jamaica, business administration; Trenton Fletcher of Vernon, psychology; Tamara Geno of Guilford, alternate track - VT RN; Manya Gordon of Saxtons River, geography; Rachel Hill of Dummerston, psychological science; Linnea Jahn of Brattleboro, psychology; Emily Jerard of Brattleboro, English; Rebecca Lapointe of Townshend, alternate track - VT RN; Brittany Lathrop of South Londonderry, mechanical engineering; Peyton Leveillee of South Londonderry, business administration; Shannon Lozito of Wilmington, medical laboratory sciences (summa cum laude); Carlyn Madden of Brattleboro, political science; James Morton of Saxtons River, mechanical engineering; Owen Moseley of Brattleboro, environmental sciences; Matthew Nowicki of West Wardsboro, political science; Rowan Payne-Meyer of Putney, sustainable landscape horticulture; Chace Perkins of Putney, medical laboratory sciences; Rebecca Potter of Guilford, English (cum laude); Lauren Punger of Bellows Falls, animal sciences; George Roberge III of Brattleboro, medical radiation sciences; Alva Swing of Brookline, economics; Chloe Wolfman of Brattleboro, early childhood/preschool; Patrick Wright of Brattleboro, psychology; Janne Yang of Putney, mathematics; and Jessica Young of Brookline, early childhood/preschool.
• Kellie Jordan Schiller of Brattleboro graduated cum laude from the University of Denver on June 10. She received a B.S. degree in biological sciences with a concentration in cognitive neuroscience, and double minored in chemistry and psychology.
• Elliot Gragen of Vernon recently earned his B.S. in commerce and business administration from the University of Alabama.
• James Moore of Saxtons River, Clark Hamm of Brattleboro, and Skyler Nupp of Newfane were all named to the Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester at the University of Hartford.
• Madison Derosia, a student at the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester.
Obituaries
• Isabel M. Bell, 96, of Grafton. Died June 13. She was born in Providence, R.I., on July 21, 1920, the daughter of John and Elsie (Rollinson) Edwards. In 1939, she married Donald T. Bell. She worked for Jones & Lamson for four years during World War II and also worked 33 years for the U.S. Post Office Department. She was also owner and operator, with her husband, of Bell's Garage & Store in Cambridgeport. In 1941, she joined the Crystal Rebekah Lodge in Saxtons River and also served as their state president, and was also a member of the Order of the Odd Fellows. One of her favorite memories is of taking her husband on a five-month trip in a 36-foot long motor home and visited every state except Alaska and Hawaii. She also enjoyed spending her winters in Florida. She is survived by her sisters Muriel Briggs of Chester and Barbara Sawtelle of Bellows Falls; her niece Heidi Milbauer; and many other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Donald, her parents, her sister Marion Cragan, and her brothers Donald Edwards and Bruce Wickson. Memorial information: A funeral service was June 21 at Community Christian Church of Athens, with burial in the Cambridgeport Cemetery. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or the Community Christian Church, 1 Miller Rd., Athens, VT 05143.
• Laura E. Bolster, 53, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died June 10 at her residence. She was born in New Milford, Conn., on Nov. 21, 1963, the daughter of the late Richard and Catherine (Barrett) Leary. She was educated in the Bellows Falls school system, graduating from Bellows Falls Union High School, Class of 1981. She was employed as a cashier at the Main Street Market Place in Hinsdale. She enjoyed going to the beach and camping. She had a big heart and was a very loving person. She was always willing to offer a hand to whoever needed help. She had an amazing sense of humor, which she kept right until the end. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Christopher R. Bolster Sr., in 1992, and a brother, Thomas Leary. She is survived by two sons, Neal R. Bolster of Hinsdale and Christopher R. Bolster, Jr. and his wife, Amanda, of Bellows Falls; two sisters, Alice White and her husband Raymond of Cambridgeport and Linda Kenney and her husband, Douglass, of Melbourne, Fla.; a grandchild and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial information: A funeral Service was held June 16 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Burial will follow at Dummerston Center Cemetery. Donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• William P. “Pat” Bonnell, 77, of St. Johnsbury, formerly of Brattleboro. Died June 7. He was born in Dunsinane Kings, N.B., Canada, on Nov. 5, 1939, the son of the late Peter Victor Bonnell and Isabell Dedam Bonnell. A native of the Mi'kmaq first nation of New Brunswick, he was very proud of his heritage. He was a brave survivor of Shubenacadie Indian Residential School in Nova Scotia.“They never broke my spirit,” he once said. His family moved to the United States for a short time in the 1950s. When his family returned to Canada, Pat and his sister Viola stayed in Brattleboro, where he made his home and raised his family. He was employed many years at Basketville and later retired from Country Kitchen in 2004. It was then he began to travel back to his birthplace and to Florida. He loved the outdoors, as well as hiking, boating, motorcycling, card games, and playing guitar. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He had a good heart and would help anyone in need. He loved to joke around, tease and laugh. He always had a smile to share with his positive attitude, which he kept right until the end. He will be deeply missed and was truly loved. He was predeceased by his brothers, Vincent and Morris Bonnell, and his sisters Viola Bonnell Rivera, and Geraldine and Georgina Bonnell. He is survived by his children, Robin, Patrick, and William P. Bonnell Jr.; his brother, Peter; and sisters Valerie, Lornie and Rena Bonnell; four grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. He is also survived by his companion, Christene Mixon, best friend Betty Bonnell, and good friend Charlie Boisvert. Memorial information: A burial service took place June 17 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury. Donations to the American Red Cross.
• Barbara Schiff Brisson, 68, of Williamsville. Died May 29 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Md. Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Isadore and Sylvia Grodnitzky Schiff. She graduated from Newark State College/Kean University in Union, N.J. She had worked as an elementary school teacher in Newark, N.J., and later, after moving to Vermont, worked as an elected town lister for nine years in Newfane. She was a healer who taught energy balancing at Kripalu Institute in Lenox, Mass., and was the author of Such is the Way of the World: A Journey through Grief (Paulist Press 1997). A lover of dance, she attended classes at the Brattleboro School of Dance for more than 40 years, and sang with the Friends of Music at Guilford. She is survived by her husband, James F. Brisson, and a sister, Marilyn J. Auriemma and her husband Bruce of Ocean City. Also surviving is a niece, Allison Auriemma, and a nephew, Brian Auriemma, both of Hackettstown, N.J. Memorial information: Cremation followed her death. No formal services are planned at this time. Donations to a charity of one's choice. Letters of condolence may be sent to James F. Brisson, P.O. Box 85, Williamsville, VT 05362-0085.
• Donald James “Don” Bristol, 72, of Dummerston. Died June 11 at his home following a lengthy battle with cancer. Born at home in Dummerston on July 5, 1944, the son of Everett and Elizabeth (Pratt) Bristol, he attended Brattleboro public schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1962. Following graduation, he went on to serve in the Vermont National Guard for six years until his honorable discharge. In 1967, he married Jeanne Fournier, who survives. He had been employed as a machinist for G.S. Precision in Brattleboro, which he retired from following over 30 years of faithful service with the company. Previously, he worked for Miniature Precision Ball Bearings (MPB) in Keene, N.H., and the former Publishers Composition and American Optical Company, both in Brattleboro. He also worked part-time for Steve Cutting and on many ventures with his brother, Bob, including driving taxis and limousines. He was known for his generosity and willingness to help others in need, and his spirit of friendship. He could always be depended upon whether it be to fix your car, repair your house, or be a marshal in a cow parade. He also volunteered at St. Brigid's Pantry. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, square dancing, candlepin bowling, and Country & Western music. He cherished time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He built two homes in Dummerston for his family. He enjoyed working on projects and always had many things going on at once. He was a skilled carpenter with accomplishments including building tall clocks, bookshelves, toy boxes for his children, wooden cars and trains for his grandsons, and doll furniture for his granddaughters. Besides his wife of 49 years, he leaves a daughter, Mary Bristol and her wife, Kim Watson, of Scarborough, Maine; a son, Richard Bristol and his wife, Erin, of Dummerston; six brothers, Verne and Merlin, both of Brattleboro, Neil of Concord, N.H., Charles and Dean, both of Guilford, and Stuart of Lyman, Maine; four sisters, Barbara Harris of Pembroke, N.H., Britney Oliver and Esther Lamb, both of Brattleboro, and Betty Wellman of Brookline. He also leaves five grandchildren.and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, Edwin, Eugene, George and Robert, and two sisters, his beloved sister Virginia “Ginger” Gordon, and Marjorie Bristol, who died in childhood. He also enjoyed special relationships with his brothers-in-law, Richard Chapin, David Fournier and Richard “Skippy” Gordon and his sisters-in-law, Catherine Fournier and Nonie Fournier. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted June 17 in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to a charity of one's choice. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ronald F. Cimineri, 66, of Westminster. Died June 1. The son of Pasquale and Philomena Cimineri, he was born in Lyons, N.Y., on Sept. 20, 1950. He grew up in Clyde, N.Y., on his family's dairy farm. He was a graduate of Clyde Central School and served in the Army Reserve in the 98th Division. After working at Agway for many years, he pursued his passion for antiques and proudly owned Williams River Auctions. He will be remembered for his extraordinary work ethic, being a devoted friend and his tremendous love for his family. He resided in Lyons, N.y., and Southampton, Mass., before moving to Vermont. He is survived by daughters Audra (Jeffrey) Phaneuf and Emily Cimineri, and a son, Ryan Cimineri. His greatest joy was being “Papa” to his seven beloved grandchildren. He also leaves a brother, Paul (Debra) Cimineri, companion Marcia Feulner, former spouse Deborah Sholly, dear friend Sharon Boccelli, and many friends and relatives. He was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth Cimineri. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held July 8, at 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church of Westminster. A small reception will follow. Donations to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org), or a charity of one's choice.
• Jane B. Donzello, 90, of Springfield, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died June 12. Born in Springfield on June 14, 1926, the daughter of William and Maude (Robinson) Lucius. She was a Springfield High School graduate who enjoyed taking care of her family. In 1946, she married John Donzello, who predeceased her. She worked at Santa's Land in Putney for many years and was a member of the Women of the Moose. She was very active in the community, especially at St. Charles Church. She was an avid Terriers fan who enjoyed attending her family's sporting events with her husband. Surviving are her daughters Mildred Clark and her husband, Gary; Donna Harty and her husband, Dennis; Joan Harlow; and Jean Donzello and her wife, Lori Jewitt; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Glendon, Arthur, Leo, Kenneth, and Sherman, and her sisters Mildred Burton and Shirley Corliss. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 20 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in St. Charles Cemetery. Donations to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Vermont Chapter, UVM Medical Center Department of Neurology, 1 South Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05401.
• Bruce W. Hesselbach, 66, of Newfane. Died June 13 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. A well-known Brattleboro attorney, he was born in Queens, N.Y., on Sept. 29, 1950, the son of William and Margaret (Walsh) Hesselbach. He was raised and educated on Long Island and went on to receive his B.A. in English, graduating cum laude from Yale University. He later earned his J.D. from Villanova Law School. Following graduation from law school, he worked for a law firm in New York City before moving to the Brattleboro area. In Brattleboro, he worked at the McCarty Law Offices, P.C., until 1996, when he established his own law practice, Hesselbach Law Office. His true love was being a writer and poet. His first book of New Formalist poetry, Roving Enchantments, was published in May 2014 by White Violet Press. His steampunk novel, Perpetual Motion, was published by Cogwheel Press in 2013. In 2005, he published High Ledges, Green Mountains, a memoir about hiking Vermont's 270-mile Long Trail. An avid hiker, he had climbed over 540 different mountains throughout New England and New York State. Sixty-two of his poems have been published in the small presses, including The Lyric, Trinacria, Piedmont Literary Review, Legal Studies Forum and Vermont Living. He was a longtime member of the Londonderry Poets and contributed to their two poetry collections. He has also had a number of short stories appear in various publications. He was a member and served as Chairman of the Newfane Conservation Commission, served on the Board of Directors, Association of Vermont Conservation Commission, was a member of the Board of Directors, Leland & Gray Union High School, and served as Due Process Hearing Officer for the Vermont Department of Education. In 1972, he married Carol Streeter who survives. With his wife, he was a communicant of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro. He was a faithful and devoted husband and loving father and grandfather whose life centered around his family. Besides his loving wife of 45 years, he leaves his father and stepmother William and Margaret Hesselbach of Arvada, Colo.; one son, Brian Hesselbach and his wife, Lyndsay, of Whitingham; one daughter, Erica Hesselbach and her husband, Michael Saccoccia, of Canton, Mich.; one brother, Glen Hesselbach and wife, Debi, of The Woodlands, Texas; four grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and several cousins. He was predeceased by his mother who died in 1981. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on June 20 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, with burial in New Williamsville Cemetery. Donations to a charity of one's choice. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Dirk Jacobus Spruyt, 91, of Chapel Hill, N.C. Died Nov 16, 2016 at his home. Born Oct. 25, 1925 in San Francisco, son of Frederik and Antoinette Spruyt, he grew up in California, Holland, Washington, and Long Island. At age 12, Dirk with his siblings, Kee and Harry, moved to Trap Rock Farm (now the site of Woolman Hill Quaker Retreat Center) in Deerfield, Mass. He enjoyed camping and boating with his family, secret night-time bike rides with his siblings, and jumping off a roof with an umbrella, inspired by Mary Poppins. As a student at Putney School, he took up the cello. After graduation, he served in the Navy during World War II, and was part of post-bombing survey teams in Tokyo and Nagasaki. During his college years at Swarthmore (1946-50), he volunteered in Belgium and on a Navajo reservation. He earned an M.D. from the University of Rochester in 1954. He then went to Dartmouth College for surgical and GP residencies. There, he met his wife, June, an art teacher and avid folk dancer. In 1956, they moved to Warren, N.H., where he ran a small medical clinic with another young doctor, often receiving food for payment. After a stint at Harvard School of Public Health, Dirk and his family moved to Ethiopia, working with USAID for six years, as part of a mobile clinic studying rural health services. They and four sons moved to Chapel Hill in 1967. He began teaching at University of North Carolina's School of Public Health, and later worked for the Chronic Disease Branch of the North Carolina Divsision of Health Services from 1977 to 1981. From 1982 until retirement, he worked with EDS Federal and then the DHS Division of Facility Services. He was active with Chapel Hill Quaker Meeting, Friends Conference on Religion and Psychology, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sister Cities (Saratov, USSR), military tax awareness/resistance and sustainable development efforts, Orange Co. Board of Elections, and Schoolhouse of Wonder at the Eno. Even in his mid-80s, he rode his bicycle, regardless of weather conditions. His life was the embodiment of thinking globally and acting locally. He will be missed. He leaves his partner of the last decade, Perry Martin; sons, Fric and his wife, Nancy, Chris, Peter and his wife, Sally, and Alan and his wife, Karina; two grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and other family and close friends. He was predeceased by his sister Kee Learnard, his brother Harry Spruyt, and his former wife, June Songberg Spruyt. Memorial information: A memorial service will be on Sunday July 9, at 11 a.m., at the Meeting House at Woolman Hill, 107 Keets Rd., Deerfield, Mass. with an informal lunch to follow. Contributions of food are welcome. Donations toward a dance pavilion/barn at Woolman Hill with attached solar system will be gratefully accepted. This is planned to honor Dirk and his siblings. His sister Kee was known for her interests in gardening and dance. She studied under Martha Graham, and helped run folk dance events, including the New England Folk Festival. And Dirk's younger brother Harry spent the later half of his life trying to come up with the perfect house, windmill, spoon, etc., in what he referred to as the “Design for Living Project.” Thanks to The Commons for treating obituaries as news, rather than an income opportunity.
• Georgia Mae Boyd-Willette, 76, of Putney. Died May 21 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born Jan. 4, 1941, in Burlington, the daughter of George and Mabel (Zeno) Thirsher, she received her early education in Huntington. She worked in food service at Brandon Training School for many years. She owned and operated a cleaning service in the Putney area and volunteered at the Putney Food Shelf. She enjoyed bingo, music, and was a self-taught accordion player. Survivors include three children, David Boyd of Brandon, William Boyd of Rutland, and Brenda Burt of Sarasota, Fla.; her former husband and father of her children, Ralph Boyd, of Putney; 11 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her son, Michael E. Boyd, and siblings Shirley Amidon, Beverley Thomas, and Richard and Edward Thirsher, Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held at a later date to be announced. Donation to the Putney Food Shelf, 10 Christian Square, Putney, VT 05346.
Services
• A celebration of life service for Robert W. Rondeau will be held Saturday, June 24, at 11 a.m., at Hilltop Montessori School, 99 Stafford Farm Hill, Brattleboro.